Letters: King hearings, Gov. Christie, SANDAG, traffic policies

Hearings an assault on faith traditions

Interfaith leaders met recently at the Islamic Center San Diego to stand against the congressional hearings led by Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., that focus on the Muslim community’s unwillingness to cooperate with law enforcement officials (“Muslim radicalism focus of hearings,” March 7). Evidence was provided that thoroughly debunked that claim. Rabbi Laurie Coskey of the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice, the Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson, senior pastor of Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, and I oppose the hearings on religious grounds.

All of our faith traditions call on us to be kind, wise and just. The hearings violate every one of those principles.

The hearings are unkind: A Muslim mother of four young girls told us that she refrains from walking her children to school anytime anti-Muslim rhetoric surfaces in the news because, dressed in traditional clothing, she is afraid to attract the attention of those who may be stirred up by current events.

The hearings are unwise: The Muslim community could be tempted to withdraw from civic life when its rights and dignity are violated. That would lead to less cooperation, not more.

Some of us recently participated in a State Department program that brings dozens of teenagers from around the world to America so they might learn more about us and one another. An entire day was spent on the topic of religion as a force for good in the world, complete with visits to a mosque, synagogue and church. That strikes us as the more reasonable course.

The hearings are unjust: In America, we investigate individuals for actions committed, not entire groups for beliefs held. Every time we violate that principle, we add to our national litany of repentance. -- The Very Rev. Scott Richardson, Saint Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, San Diego

Just as in the 1960s, when Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy investigated the Mafia and not the Italian people, Rep. Peter King is investigating the radical jihadist Islamists, not the Muslim religion. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Muhammad Ali need not worry. It is time to quell the ridiculousness of political correctness, especially regarding national security. -- Bob Therrien, Mission Beach

New Jersey governor a successful leader

I was grateful to read the stern chastising of our city leaders regarding their timidity and foot-dragging in dealing with the fiscal fiasco (“A kick in the rump of city leaders,” Editorial, March 10). When you see the bold moves of Gov. Chris Christie in New Jersey, it’s clear that San Diego must have similar swift, meaningful cuts.

The public must be educated via the various media outlets as to why the city must make these bold moves. Christie’s success is based on his ability to articulate, clearly and often, how these problems originated, who stands to benefit by keeping the status quo in place, who continues to pay for the greed and malfeasance of past leaders, and explaining the necessary remedies.

Once the public understands the need for dramatic action, perhaps our representatives will have the courage to stand up and do the right and just thing for the taxpayers. Is there a Chris Christie out there? -- Elaine Bradbury, Mission Hills